Leighton Samuel will remain involved in Bridgend RFC

Samuel is the second millionaire backer to turn his back on a regional team this week, after Newport supremo Tony Brown resigned from the Newport-Ebbw Vale regional set-up.

Samuel is set to make an official statement later on Thursday, but - unlike Brown - he will continue to help fund the Bridgend-Pontypridd team.

Bridgend RFC was in financial ruin when Samuel took over in 1999, and he is estimated to have ploughed more than �4 million into resurrecting the club's fortunes.

That investment came to fruition last season as the Ravens won the Welsh Premiership, the last fully professional club competition before Wales made the switch to regional rugby.

Brown rebuffs regional rugby

Both men have become frustrated as proposed titles have fallen by the wayside, with Samuel unhappy at the way Bridgend-Pontypidd was being run.

BBC Wales understands that Samuel has become increasingly frustrated with what he sees as the inflexibility of his fellow board members and wants a full-time board with no other professional commitments.

RCT Ravens and Crusaders have already been rejected for Bridgend-Pontypridd, while the Welsh Rugby Union had to step in to impose Gwent Dragons for Newport-Ebbw Vale.

WRU chief executive David Moffett was bullish about the effect Brown's departures will have on the Gwent side.

Moffett says the new regional sides can stand on their own financial feet, claiming that "it is not a decision that will impact on their ability to create a viable and vibrant club".

It remains to be seen whether the WRU is able to fill the financial hole left by Brown, but at least there remains financial stability at Bridgend-Pontypridd.

Should Samuels have pulled out his money then it would have put into doubt the proposed new stadium and training facilities for the Bridgend-Pontypridd team, which has been costed at around �16m.

Samuel will continue with his role at Bridgend, just as Brown will at Newport, so neither man is completely lost to Welsh rugby just yet.